Modal Verb Dare in English
Dare is used both as a regular verb and as a modal one.
- As a regular verb dare has two forms: dare for the present tense and dared for the past tense. As a regular verb it is used with the auxiliary verb to do in the interrogative form and with -s in the third person singular the Present Simple. It is also used with the to-Infinitive.
- No one dared to ask him
- He didn’t dare to stop me
- In affirmative sentences it may express challenge
- I dare you to jump off that wall
- As a modal verb it is used chiefly in interrogative and negative sentences. It expresses to have the courage or impertinence to do something or lack of courage in negative sentences
- I daren’t ask her. Will you do it?
- How dare she take this risk?
NOTE:
- I dare say (or daresay) means I suppose, probably
- I dare say he will come late
- You can come across a mixture of a regular and modal verb
- We didn’t dare say anything else.